Batt covering machine



Dec. 4, 1945. c. EJWEBB BATT COVERING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1942 3 SheetS-Shet l De..4, 1945. Q E WEBB l 2,390,340 l BATT COVERING MACHINE Y Filed Ma-rch 19, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 SML INVENTOR Ceci/ Ear/e mbb c. E. WEBB 2,390,340 l BATT GQVERING MACHINE mq) $4 g L 1N VENTO/R.

Ceci/ Ear/c M/ebb' Patented Dec. 4, 1945 lzes-0,2m

BATT COVERING MACHINE Cecil Earle Webb, Norwood, Ohio, assignor to WilliamR. Steltenpohl, Cincinnati, Ohio Application March 19, 1942, Serial No. 435,392

Claims.

This invention relates to a batt covering machine and `particularly to a machine the function of which is to continuously apply an envelope or Wrapper to batting material produced in `a separate machine and fed in strip form `to `the machine of the present invention. Itfshould be understood` that the machine herein disclosed does not manufacture or produce the batting material.

An object of the invention is to provide an efficient, simple and trouble-free machine for con tinuously covering or wrapping long strips of batting material, for example, batting material used for insulating, padding, sound-deadening andthe like. on which the machine operates is relatively imma terial to the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated, which is compact 4and highly automatic in operation so that continuous operation may be maintained with a min,- imurn of unskilled labor in attendance.

A further object of the invention is toprovide a. machine of the character described, which may be quickly and easily adapted `for the covering of batts having different widths and thicknesses. Another object is to provide a machine for automatically applying paper or other suitable sheets to the `opposite faces of abatt, folding the sheet margins about the batt, adhesively joining the margins to establish sealed edges on the batt, cutting the wrapped batt to predetermined lengths automatically, and finally rolling` the batt to cylindrical finished form ready for shipment or use. This machine may advantageously operate in conjunction with. a batt manufacturing machine, to receive, cover, and roll the batting material at the same speed as batts are produced bythe batt manufacturing machine.

To these and other ends, invention may reside in certain improvements and combinations cf elements as will hereinafter be more fully described,

the novel features being pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

The invention may best be understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, with the understanding, however, that the ldisclcxsure herein presents but one embodiment The use or the kind of batting material upscription in the absence of limitations thereto specica'lly included inthe claims. i

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the batt covering VInachine of the invention, with duplicates of folding and sealing means omitted in the interest of clarity of disclosure.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmental cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l, showing one complete folding and sealing means, which may be 'duplicated as often as desired in the machine, depending upon the desired capacity of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing a considerable portion of the delivery end of the machine in plan.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental cross-section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. l, showing an important section of the receiving end of the machine.

Figs. 5, 6 and 'l are end views of a batt showing the successive steps in the application of the covering material, as performed by the machine of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a detailed elevational View showingY a pair of pressing rolls of the machine equipped alternatively with scoring means to form nailing flanges on the iinished batt.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatical `view illustrating a chain drive for the pairs of pressing rolls shown in Fig. 2. A

In general, the machine herein disclosed comprises a main frame comprising pairs 0f Uprshis l2, I3 and I4 connected together by horizontal base members I5 and pairs of horizontal frame pieces l5 and Il suitably b-raced transversely of the machine to form a rigid frame structure. At the top of the machine, shafts or other supports I8 :and i9 are provided to rotatably support the `rolls of crepe paper-C which pay out the paper to the envelope forming mechanism. Likewise, the rolls of base sheet material B are supported at '2D and 2 l, and from them the base sheet material is directed also to the envelope forming mechanism. The batt material or Tiller 22 is adapted to be advanced between the sheets mentioned, in the manner indicated by Fig. 5.

As the batt material and the sheets B and C advance through the machine toward the delivery end thereof, the longitudinal side edges of both sheets are first turned downwardly Ias illustrated by Fig. 6, leaving margin 23 of the base sheet outwardly extending, and by applying a subsequent folding and pressing operation the margins are turnedupwardly as in Fig. l and adhesively attached to the depending portions of sheet C. Ad-

hesion is effected by heating, at a certain critical stage of the sheet advancement, the base sheet B which is asphaltum or pitch impregnated or coated.V The batt as illustrated by Fig. '1 is completed, but as Will be explained hereafter, it may be scored continuously and longitudinally at approximately the locations m-x to provide nailingr flanges.

With further reference to the batt structure, it may be noted that the cover sheet C is by preference creped transversely of its length, and this sheet need not b-e coated. The base sheet B, as seen in Fig- 5, has a normally dry and non-tacky coating on that face thereof which is adjacent to the ller 22, however, the pitch or asphaltum coating may cover the entire inner face of the base sheet, if desired. In an alternative form, the coating may extend from the longitudinal side edges inwardly to locations proximate tothe longitudinal side edges of the batt or ller. As previously stated herein, the machine is adapted to apply the sheets as an envelope, to batts or llers of different widths and thicknesses. The means for accomplishing this will be explained as the description proceeds.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, it should be noted that two rolls of base sheeting material are suspended by the shaft 20, these rolls being spaced apart as shown. The shaft 2l (Fig. 1) supports a single roll of similar sheeting, and this third roll is located in staggered relationship to the other rolls B-B, so that a feed of three separate sheets or ribbons of base material may be advanced to the machine for covering three batts simultaneously. In other words, the machine is a three gang machine, but since the mechanism of the three gangs are similar, it will be necessary to describe and illustrate but one of them. It will be understood, of course, that the rolls of crepe paper at the top of the machine are equal in number to the rolls at the bottom thereof, and are arranged in the same manner, that is, with two separated rolls on shaft I8, and a third middle roll on shaft I9. For each of the three batts entering the machine, a cover sheet of crepe paper C and a base sheet B of impregnated paper, are directed over and under the batt as illustrated by Fig. 5. The number of batts that might be covered simultaneously, may be increased or reduced by adding or removing mechanisms for folding and pressing and securing the sheets relative to the batts. Accordingly, this description will be concerned with the treatment of a single batt 22, using sheets from a single roll C and a single roll B, `j

Referring to Fig. 1, batting material of uniform width and thickness, indicated at 22, is fed into the machine along a suitable table 24. The forward edge of the batt moves into Contact with an endless belt conveyor 25, which is supported over` the conveyor rolls 26, 21 and 23. Each of said conveyors in reality comprises a pair of spaced parallel belts, indicated at 25-25 of Fig. 3. The belts are adapted to move in the direction indicated by the arro-w on Fig. l, one of the rolls 25 or 28 being driven for this purpose. Although it is immaterial which roll is driven, Fig. l suggests the application of the sprocket 29 to the shaft 59 of roll 23, which sprocket by means of a chain 3l is driven from a sprocket 32 of a prime mover or power device indicated generally at 33. The prime mover preferably comprises a suitable motor and a variable speed transmission, the like of which is well known in the mechanical arts.,

threaded outer ends of the shafts.

Bearings for the ends of shaft 30 are indicated at 34--34.

It may here be noted that the conveyor roll 28, as a practical matter, will preferably be made up of six separate belt pulleys, one for each of the conveyor belts, each of which pulleys would be fixed to the shaft 3U. This matter of practice is applicable also to the conveyor roll 2G. Intermediate the ends of conveyor 25, there is provided a device for shaping the wrapper sheets about the batt, and for applying a final pressing and sealing operation to the edges along which the sheets are secured together longitudinally of the continuousbatt. Such means comprises preferably a pair of frames 34-35, each independently supported for bodily shiftability laterally of the machine frame, so as to increase or decrease the distance between pairs of such frames, when batts of different widths are to be accommodated by the machine. As is best illustrated by Fig. y2, the frames 34 and 35 have lower rails orA base portions S15 carrying bored bosses 31 through which a crossshaft 33`extends for supporting the frames as stated. As will be understood two such shafts 38 may be employed for supporting the front and rear ends of each frame 34 and 35. Where the shafts pass through the bosses, suitable means are furnished for securely fixing the frames to the shafts. For this purpose, set screws 39m the bosses will sumce.

It may be noted that the shafts` 38 span the machine, from one horizontal rail I6 to the other, at opposite sides of the machine. may be fixed in place by applying nuts 40 tothe When it is considered necessary to adjust the machine for different batt widths, it is necessary only to loosen the set screws, move the frames 34 and 35 together or apart, as required, and then tighten the set 40 screws to fix the frames in the desired spaced relationship.

Rollers 21, of which two are provided as illustrated by Fig. 4, are mounted upon separate stud shafts 4| carried by the frames 34 and 35, so that these rollers move together and apart bodily with the frames when adjusted. These rollers 21, while serving to support the upper runs ofthe conveyor belts, function also as folding rolls for the cover sheet C. In functioning as stated, the horizontal rolls 21 each cooperate with a vertical roll 42 journalled for free rotation while supported in bearings 43 carried by the frames 34 and 315. This is most clearly illustrated by Fig, l wherein one pair of folding rolls is indicated at 21 and 42. By referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the cylindrical outerface of roll 42 is disposed close to the annular outer end of roll 21, by a distance sufficient to embrace marginal portions of sheets B and C fed thereto. The lower end 44 of each roll 42 preferably is disposed at an Yelevation approximating the elevation of the axis 0f ro-ll 21 (Fig. 1).

when the bett 22, sandwiched between the' sheets C and B (Fig. l) advances with the conveyor belts 25 the marginal edges of the sheets will overhang the side edges of the batt as illustrated by Fig. 5, and the margins of the sheets will enter between the pairs of rolls 21 and 42 which operate to turn down the margins as illustrated by Fig. 6, the outwardly extendingv portions 23 of sheet B assuming that relationship due to the fact that horizontal portions 45 of the paper folding guides 46 support` the side margins of base sheet B. As the sheets B and C with the batt material between them advance past the These shafts adhesively secured. together` at the joints along thefside edges of the batts.` The adhesive material, which may be asphaltum, pitch or the like, carried by the base sheet B, normally is dry and non-tacky, and it is necessary to the proper formation of the envelope, to heat the adhesive substance of the base sheet to render it tacky. In accordance with the present invention, the heat necessary to soften andV render tacky the adhesive material of the base sheet, is located a substantial4 distance in advance of the first pair of rolls 21-42. The heater, indicated at 4S, is inzfact well in advance of the forward end ci conveyor 25,.the purpose of placing the heater at such a remote distance from the folding and sealing elements being to impart the heat and tackiness to the coating suiciently in advance of effecting the joint, to ensure thorough penetration of the heat in the first instance. It has been discovered thatftackiness isA more effective forsealing with a` lapse4 of time between the application of heat and the application of` pressure for sealing, than is the case when the sealing is attempted concurrently with` or immediately after the application of heat. By this arrangement of means, the joint once sealed will not be warm enough to separate after having been subjected to the pressing or sealing operation at the rolls l1- 48.

The heater 49 may be of any suitable design. In the present embodimenuit consists or a rotatable drum to which steam or hot uid is admitted through a conduit d.` An electrically heated shoe, and an electrically heated roller, have been employed with equal success. It is therefore evident that the particular nature of the heater is immaterial` to the invention, although its locaopposite directions so as to pull the sheetsV 13` and C, with the batt material between them, through the machine with the assistance of the conveyor belts 25. The base sheet rests upon the conveyor belts 25, 'as will be understood. The belts, in turn, arepreferably supported from beneath by shelves or tables 52, which shelves or tables may be integral parts of the folding guide legs 5i. In any suitable manner, such a's by means of brackets 53, the folding guides with the integral tables 52, may be stationarily mounted upon the frames 434 and: 35, thereby jointly constituting a complete folding and sealing mechanism.

Tre driving means for the presser rolls, is most clearly illustrated by Fig. 2, wherein 54 and 55 indicate bearings iiXedly mounted upon the horizontal rails IG-It of the machine main frame,

these bearings being adapted to support the vertical sh'afts '55 and 51, respectively. At the top of each shaft there is fixedly mounted thereon a sprocket, one being marked 58, and the other 59. The distance between these sprockets is always constant, due to the fact that they receive their support from the main frame of the machine. An endless chain 60 transmits rotational movement from sprocket 58 to sprocket 59, which movement i's in turn transmitted to the shafts of the presser rolls 41 and 48` carried by each of the frames 34 and 35. The shafts of rolls 41-41 have fixed thereto the sprockets 6I and 62, whereas the shafts of rolls 48-48 carry the fixed sprockets 153 and 64. One reach of the chain lill is threaded behind the sprockets 6| and 64, and ahead of the sprockets 63 and 62, as illustrated inthe drawings in Fig, 9, wherein is illustrated by means of arrowsthe relative rotational movement of the sprockets and their associated presser rolls, in the proper directions for ads vancement of the batts through the machine. The chain BD, through sprocket 58 and its shaft 55, receives continuo-us power from a: sprocket F55 at the lower end of this shaft, the sprocket last mentioned being in any suitable manner tion well ahead of thesealing or pressing rolls i is. an. important feature of the invention.

y Upon leaving the sealing or pressing rolls 47h-48, the wrapped or covered batt is readyfor delivery from the machine.

"`With further reference to the elements associated with the frames 34 and 35, `it is to be pointed out that each folding guide comprises an angular member presenting a vertical leg 5i and a horizontal outwardly extending leg 45, these legs being disposed substantially at right angles to one another directly adjacent to the folding roll 42. In fact, the lower end "id of folding roll 42 is but slightly spaced above the horizontal leg 45 of the folding guide, at a distance sufficient to permit passage therebetween oi the `base sheet B. In the direction of the pressing rolls, the leg 45 is gradually or progressively bent upwardly until, near the pressing rolls, it rests in slightly spaced parallelism with the other leg 5I. It will accordingly be understood that the base sheet margin will be urged from the Fig. 6 position to the Fig. '1 position by the action of the folder guide leg 46, just prior to its entry between presser rolls 41 and 43.

`Although it is not essential that the folding roll 42 be driven, it ispreferred that both presser rolls 41 `and 48 be power actuated for rotation in driven from the prime mover 33. For a simple illustration, Fig. 1 shows the prime mover provided with a driving sprocket 6B and a chain 61 associated therewith, for driving the sprocket 65 that actuates the presser rolls. The particular manner in which the sprocket 58 is driven is Vof no material consequence to the present invention, and the means illustrated are to be con-` sidered exemplary only of a simple and plainly understandable drive means.

Attention isr now directed to the fact that the frames 34 and 35 of Fig. 2 may be adjusted toward and from each other along the shaft 38 to accommodate different widths of batts, without in any way disturbing the driving connections between chain to and the various sprocketsof the presser rolls. For example, frame 35 might be moved bodily lengthwise of shaft 38, leaving chain 5B in mesh with the sprockets `il?! and 54, the only result of which movement of the frame will be to induce partial rotation of the presser rolls associated with that frame. The driving connection remains intact, hQwef-Ier, and the operator need Vconcern himself only with tightening the frame to the shaft 38, by means of set screw 3c, after having made the adjustment of the frame along the supporting shaft. When the machine includes more than one set or guides and presser rolls of the character illustrated by Fig. 2, each set may be associated with the single driving ,chain 5o in the manner illustrated by Fig. 2, whereby each and every separate and cornplete folding and pressing assembly may be adjusted independently with respect to the presser roll drive chain 59 that extends completely across the width of the machine.

The character ,98 of Fig. 2 indicates the upper bearing of a presser roll shaft, which bearing is fixed to the folder frame at 69. The shaft of this presser rol1 is indicated at 10, and its lower end is journalled in a bearing 1| likevidse fixed to the folder frame atf12. The housing of bearing 1| may be suiiiciently extensive to include a second bearing 13 for the shaft 14 of the inner presser roll 48, which shaft carries the sprocket 63. At its lower end, shaft 14 may be journalled in a bearing '15, and the housing of this bearing is preferably kfixed to frame 34 with the use of an adjustable mounting 1S whereby the lower end of shaft 14 may be swung'slightly to the right or left for increasing or decreasing the pressing force between rolls 48 and 41. The various bearings 15 and 13, and possibly also the bearings 1| and 68, preferably are set in rubber as indicated at 11 to cushion the squeezing force of the presser rolls in order that they might better grip and press the adhesive joints at the side edges of the batts. The housing of bearing 15 may be rendered adjustable toward and from its seat on the folder frame, either by the use of shims, -or by the use of adjusting screw 16 which is threaded into an opening of the frame at 18, with the space between the frame and the bearing housing kept yieldingly separated by a spring or other yielding means 19. This adjustment is capable of many mechanical variations, and the invenf tion is therefore not to be limited to the particular type of adjustment shown.,

` Referring back to Fig. 1, attention is directed very particularly to the guide roll 89 at the right or receiving end of the machine, and over which roll the crepe paper sheet C is guided onto the upper surface of batt 22. Roll 8u is freely rotatable upon an axle 8| journalled in a bearing' fixed to the main frame, and the elevation at which this bearing is located is critical to proper operation of the means indicated at 21-42 for folding the margins of the base and cover sheets. The lowest point on the periphery of roll l8|) must be on the same horizontal level as the extreme lower end of folding roller 42. As the elevation of the end 44 of roller 42 is approximately the same as the receiving end of the horizontal leg 45 of the folder guide, it may be considered also that the surface of 45 shall be on the same horizontal level as the lowermost point on the periphery of roll 89. This relationship of elements has been found necessary to induce a proper upward bulging of the middle portion of the crepe sheet C over and above the batt, while maintaining the side edges of said sheet at the level indicated at 45 throughout the passage of the sheet along the length of the folding guide. In the absence of the stated relationship of roller 89 to the elements 42 and 45, highly complex mechanism of a troublesome nature would be necessary to properly arch the crepe sheet over the batt and to prevent the extreme side edges of the sheet from running erratically along the length of the folding guide. Unless accuracy in the feed of sheet C through the folding'guide is maintained, the marginal portions of the sheet will assume various depths within the U-shaped socket r channel 82 formed on the base sheet (Fig. 1), thereby resulting in lack of uniformity with which the paper sheets embrace the enclosed of the machine frame.

batt. Also, should one of the side margins of sheet C too fully enter a channel 82, the opposite side margin will have a weak and loosely formed adhesive connection with the opposite socket or channel. Such lack of uniformity in the batt I will cause the sheets to separate during handling or use of the batt, exposing the filler material and resulting generally in unsatisfactory performance of the product.

With the foregoing explanation, it should 'be understood that the roll guides the crepe paper C into the machine at the level of the outwardly extending folder leg 45, while the batt material enters beneath sheet C at an acute angle thereto whereby the movement of the batt tends to arch or elevate the central area of' the crepe sheet C while'the extreme side edges of said sheet remain at the elevation of part 45. The base sheet B enters between the batt and the conveyor 25, after first having been subjected to the high temperature of heater 49.

The characters 83 and 84 indicate strippers which may be in the form of long rollers suspended at their ends from pairs of arms 85 pivoted at 86 to the frame of the machine. The stripper in applying its weight to the base sheet as the sheet is payed out, ensures uniformity and smoothness in the rotation of the roll'of paper as the sheet or web is drawn through the machine.

After having passed the presser rolls 41-48, the batt is advanced toward the delivery end of the machine by the conveyor 25 which deposits the batt upon a table 81, with the nailing flanges X-X (Fig. 7) resting atwise thereon in outwardly extended relationship to the batt. As the -batt falls downwardly over the edge 88 of the table it rests upon the downwardly inclined conveyor 89 that forms part of a roll-up mechanism. Conveyor 89 may be power actuated in any suitable manner, such as by means of a chain 90 operating over the'sprockets 9| and 92 fixed to cross shafts 93 and 3|), respectively. The conveyor 89 may be an ordinary belt, if desired, or as indicated on the drawings, it may comprise a series of horizontal transverse slats 94 fixed to spaced parallel chains moving in unison at opposite sides The endless conveyor 89 may pass over a suitable wheel 95 having its axle journalled in a bearing 96 fixed to the base of the machine, so that the inclination of conveyor 89 is constant. The function of this conveyor is to carry the finished batt downwardly to a location at which the leading edge of the batt will be turned upwardly and started into the formation of a spiral bythe action of an upwardly moving belt 91. Belt 91 may be supported upon wheels 98 and 99 mounted on spaced parallel shafts |98 and ||J|, shaft |0| being driven through the medium of a chain |92 that passes over sprockets |03 and |04. Sprocket |94 is fast to the shaft |95 of wheel 95, whereas sprocket |03 is fast to the shaft IBI of wheel 98, so that belt 91 is driven in synchronism with belt or con-` veyor 89. When the leading end of a batt strikes the belt 91 and is turned upwardly, a spiral will be started so as to form a roll between conveyors 89 and 91 increasing in size as the machine continues to operate. As the size of the roll of iinished batt material increases, the side frames |06 and |91 of the roll-up section carrying the belt 91, will be influenced by the weight of the roll to move bodily in counterclockwise direction about the shaft I0 until finally it reaches an inclination approaching the horizontal. The gradual displacement of the conveyor 91 as just exmay be of any suitable form. The counterbalance `shown consists of a Acable |08 having one end fastened at |09 to the conveyor frame |0B| 01, while the other end passes over a pulley and through the sheath mounted on the end of a heavy spring I |2 anchored tothe frame at `H3;

r'Ilie point of attachmentof the remaining end of the cable `is on the machine frame at I I4.

When the size of the batt in roll formation approaches a given maximum diameter, it is desirable that the batt be severed at the point where it is fed to theroll-up device, in order that the spirally wound roll might be removed from the roll-up device and a new 4roll begun. Ac-

cordingly, means are provided `for cutting off the batt material at the edge 88 of table 81. `Such means may be in the form of a blade |15, either sharp edgedor saw toothed, and made endless in much the same manner as a band saw. This blade'is indicated clearly at H5 upon Fig. 3, and isshown supported upon the peripheries of substantially horizontal wheels H6 and |I1 journalled in bearings H3 upon a suitable tilting frame that may be rocked about a pivot shaft ||9 (Fig. l). The rockable frame `is indicated generally by the character |20, and will be seen to support an electric motor |2| suitably placed in ,driving relationship to one of the wheels Any proper power transmission means may be resorted to, although in the showing of Fig, 3, there is apulley |22 xed to the shaft of wheel HT, and this pulley is belted as at |23 to a pulley |24 which is in turn beltedto the motor pulley |25 by `means of the belt |26. When the motor is energized, the transmission of power therei from will be seen to rapidly rotate the wheel ||1 andto actuate the cutter. Y i

A While the nature of the rockable frame `|20 may b e varied as to its design, it may be Simply constructed 'by `fastening the transverse wheel support |21 to the rocking shaft Il!)` by means of 'aseries of struts |28, making those struts which support the motor |2|` somewhat longer `than the others. The motormay thereby be caused to substantially counterbalance the band saw or cutter and its supporting wheels H8 and Il, if desired.

At is indicated a gearbox associated with motor I2 Land from` the gear box `extends a shaft |3| carrying a crank |32 that may be comparatively, slowly rotated in clockwise direction or otherwise, whenever the motor is operating. The crank arm may be pivoted at |33to` a connecting rod |34 having apivotal connection at |35 tothe main frame ofthe machine, so that operationof the electric, motor will cause crank arm |32 to act upon the connecting rod for tilting the cut-oir trarne |20, bringingthe saw or cutter lfdown toproxirnity with the forward edge. 8810i table 8l, to cut off .the batt -at a desired length. 'Bhe cut-off` frame may carry a series of spring fingers vor other `arresting ,means |36, adaptedto arrest advancing movement of the batt during the `interval of time required for the cutter to sever the batt at .the table edge 88. Normally, thespring ngers |38do not contact the batt.

The tilting movement of the cut-on frame may beautomatieally' controlled; if desired, or it may be controlled at `will upon closing the electric circuit ofymotor f2| through the medium `ofna pusl'r button Asvvitchoi: the like conveniently 1ocated upon the machine.

For automatic control of the cut-off device, there may be provided a device consisting of a roller` |31 bearing peripherally upon either the `roll 28 or any other part of the batt conveyor 25,

and arranged to close an electrical switch in the motor circuit at any predetermined number of rotations or the roller |31. The electric switch mechanism for this device may be contained within a housing |38, and the wires leading to the motor may be contained Within a flexible conduit |35). It is considered unnecessary to detail -the mechanism within the housing |38 as such forms no part of the present invention per se.V` The device IST-|38 will close the motor switch periodically, as a predetermined number of `feet of batt material are delivered by the machine and deposited upon the roll-up device. The length or" time that current is supplied to the motor may be determined either by the device IST-|38 or by a circuit breaker operated by the tilting of the cut-orf frame. The circuit breaker arangement obviously is capable of many variations, and it will be appreciated at once that the arm |32 may operate it. The wiring necessary to start and sto-p the cut-off motor is considered elementary, and need ndt therefore be explained and illustrated by detailed disclosure.

Earlier in the description, it was mentioned that scores might be applied Vat the locations X-X on the finished batt of Fig. 7, in order to denne nailing iianges at opposite side edges of the batt. To eiect the scoring function, the presser rolls 4l and 48 of Fig. 2 may be grooved as indicated at |48 and |4I, the grooves being at a common `elevation so that one of them. might be equipped with a ring |42 (Fig. 8) made of round wire` of a proper gauge, so that the periphery of the ring may enter the groove |4I while the batt edges are passing between the presser rolls. The effect of the ring will be to score the ilanges ofthe batt at the locations X-X of Fig. 7,

thereby to define the nailing ilanges. When nailingflanges are not desired, it is necessary only to remove the ring |42.

The dotted portions |43 of the presser rolls indicate knurls or other friction means to facilitate movement of the batt through the folding and sealing apparatus. If the presser rolls are tightly adjusted, the roughening thereof to increase frictional contact upon the batt wrapping material may be dispensed with.

Machines of the character herein disclosed may be constructed in various sizes, to operate upon two or more batts simultaneously, by providing a plurality of folders, guides, pressers and conveyors in side by side relationship, all driven from the sources of power as described herein. The single chain will drive any number of presser roll assemblies, and the number of conveyors 25 may be increased by enlarging the width of the machine frame. The cut-off device may be eX- tended to operatel upon a plural number of batts, as may be also the roll-up device. When three or morel units of folders, guides and pressers yare employed,` each unit will be built upon an auxiliary or secondary frame such. as 34-35, and alternate units then may be sup-ported at different elevations upon the main frame in order that the machine operator may readily supervise and check the operation of each unit.

What isf'claimed is: l

l. In a machine for applying a cover to a batt,

the combination of a conveyor moving conti-nu-` ously in one direction of advancement, and folding guides one at each side of the conveyor, said folding guides each including a vertical wall and a curved wall, the latter beginning at one end of the folding guide substantially horizontally and outwardly extended at right angles to the vertical wall, and curving progressively toward the opposite end thereof where the walls end in substantial vertical parallelism, a folding roll rotatable on a vertical axis with its lower end spaced slightly from the horizontal portion of the curved wall, a cooperative second folding roll having an annular end, and means supporting said second roll for rotation horizontally, with its annular end in close proximity to the periphery of the first folding roll, pressing means near the substantially Vertical Wall ends, means directing onto the conveyor a batt and a pair of cover sheets at opposite faces of the batt, and means guiding one of the cover sheets so as to horizontally intersect the batt at an acute angle, and on the horizontal level of the outwardly extended end of the curved wall of the folding guide, whereby the batt is forced to arch said one sheet while the opposed edges of the latter progress horizontally past the folding rolls and through the pressing means.

2. In a machine for applying a cover to a batt, the combination of a conveyor moving continuously in one direction of advancement, and folding guides one at each side of the conveyor, said folding guides each including a vertical wall and a curved wall, the latter beginning at one end of the folding guide substantially horizontally and outwardly extended at right angles to the vertical wall, and curving progressively toward the opposite end thereof where the walls end in substantial vertical parallelism, a folding roll rotatable on a Vertical axis with its lower end spaced slightly from the horizontal portion of the curved wall, a cooperative second folding roll having an annular end, and means supporting said second roll for rotation horizontally, with its annular end in close'proximity to the periphery of the first folding roll, pressing means near the substantially vertical wall ends, means directing onto the conveyor a batt and a pair of cover sheets at opposite faces of the batt, and means guiding one of the cover sheets so as to horizontally intersect the batt at an acute angle, and on the horizontal level of the outwardly extended end of the curved wall of the folding guide, whereby the batt is forced to arch said one sheet while the opposed edges of the latter progress horizontally past the folding rolls and through the pressing means, the other` of said cover sheets bearing a normally dry adhesive, and means well in advance of the folding rolls and the conveyor, for applying heat and rendering tacky the adhesive of said other cover sheet.

3. In a machine for applying a cover to a batt, the combination of a conveyor moving continuously in one direction of advancement, Aand folding guides one at each side of the conveyor, said folding guides each including a vertical wall and a curved wall, the latter beginning at one end of the folding guide substantially horizontally and outwardly extended at right angles to the vertical wall, and curving progressively toward the opposite end thereof where the walls end in substantial vertical parallelism, a folding roll rotatable on a vertical axis with its lower end spaced slightly from the horizontal portion of the curved wall, a cooperative second folding roll having an annular end, and means supporting said second roll for rotation horizontally, with its annular end in close proximity to the periphery of the first folding roll, pressing means near the substantially vertical wall ends, means directing onto the conveyor a batt and a pair of cover sheets at Opposite faces of the batt, and means Aguiding one of the the conveyor, each of said frames carrying pressk ing means and folding rolls and guides related as specified, to adapt the machine for operation upon different sizes of sheets and batts to be covered thereby.

4. In a machine for applying a cover to a batt, the combination of a conveyor moving continuously in one direction of advancement, and folding guides one at each side of the conveyor, said folding guides each including a vertical wall and a curved wall, the latter beginning at one end of the folding guide substantially horizontally and outwardly extended at right angles to the vertical wall, and curving progressively toward the opposite end thereof Where the walls end in substantial vertical parallelism, a folding roll rotatable on a vertical axis with its lowerend spaced slightly from the horizontal portion of the curved wall, a cooperative second folding roll having an annular end, and means supporting said second roll for rotation horizontally, with its annular end in close proximity to the periphery of the first folding roll, pressing means near the substantially vertical wall ends, means directing onto the conveyor a batt and a pair of cover sheets at opposite faces of the batt, and means guiding one 0f the cover sheets so as to horizontally intersect the batt at an acute angle, and on the horizontal level of the outwardly extended end of the curved wall of the folding guide, whereby the batt is forced to arch said one sheet while the opposed edges of the latter progress horizontally past the folding rolls and through the pressing means, a pair of cooperative frames supported for bodily movement toward and from each other, laterally of the conveyor, each of said frames carrying pressing means and folding rolls and guides related as specified, to adapt the machine for operation upon different sizes of sheets and batts to be covered thereby and means associated with each frame to support a portion of the conveyor.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination` of a main frame having sides and a base, and a two-part conveyor movable lengthwise of the frame for jointly carrying a batt, a pair of secondary frames arranged in spaced parallelism lengthwise of the base and between the sides of the frame, transverse supports spanning the frame sides and providing tracks upon which the secondary frames are adjustable laterally toward and from one another, separate folding and pressing means carried by each of the secondary frames, said pressing means each `comprising a pair of vertical shafts and rollers mounted for rotation relative to the frames, sprockets-on all of said shafts, arranged at a common elevation above and parallel to the base, driving means for the sprockets, comprising an endless chain arranged transversely of the main frame from one side thereof to the other, and sprockets supporting said chain at the sides of the main frame, one of the sprockets last mentioned being a,

assegni-o sprocket, said pressing roller sprockets being m constant engagement with the endless chain to rotate the pressing rollers at all laterally adjusted positions of the secondary frames,

shafts `and rollers mounted for rotation relative `tothe frames, sprockets on all of s aid shafts, arranged at a common elevation above and parallel i to the base; driving means for the sprockets, comprising an endless chainarranged transversely of the main frame from oneV side thereof to the other, and sprockets supporting said chain at the sidesof the main frame, one of the sprockets last mentioned being a power sprocket, said pressing roller `sproclscets being in constant engagement with the endless chain to rotate the pressing rollers" at all `laterally adjusted positions of the seconder-y frames, and coplanar individual supportiri'gshelves Afor the two parts of the conveyor, said shelves being mounted oneeach upon avsecon'dary frame for lateral shifting movement therewith.

` 7. The `machine as set forth in claim 65 wherein `the individual supporting shelves for the conve'yor parts are `integral with the folding means and extend toward each other in coplanar spaced U relationship'.

Al?. `In a machine of the class described, the combination of a stationary pair of parallel folder guides each having a pair of walls providing between them a substantially horizontal base groove, ai vertical folding roll for each guide having a lower `end at substantially thegelevationrof the groove; a second folding roll for each guide sppbrted for rotation upon a horizontal axis with anannular endV of said second roll in close proxirnity to? the `cylindrical face of the first roll, a p of conveyor belts each supported forhoriz'ontal'nl'ovement adjacent to a folder guide at an; nelevatil'wmabove the base groove, said conveyor belts each resting upon the cylindrical face' of one of the second folding rolls', and being inclined downwardly and away from said' second folding rolls and said folding guides, the inclined portions of said conveyor belts being adapted to receive and support a batt fed thereon, means guiding a preheated adhesively treated batt base sheet between`` the batt and the conveyor belts, and means guiding a cover sheet horizontally toward and upon the upper face of the batt at the approximate level ofthe base grooves of the folder guide walls andY beneath the level of the horizontal portions ofthe conveyor belts.

Quin a machine of the class described, the tion of a stationary pair oflparallel folder guidesI each having a pairv of walls providing bei tween them a substantially horizontal base groove, a vertical folding roll for` each guide having 'a Alower end `a'tsubstantially the elevation of the base groove, la second folding roll for each guide supported for' rotation upon a horizontal with anannular end of said second roll in close `piloxinity to the: cylindrical face of the la pair of conveyor belts each` supported folhorizontal `rnovenientf adjacent to a folder guide? atan" elevation above the base groove, said conveyor belts each resting upon the cylindri; cal face of one of the second folding rolls; and being inclined downwardly and away from said second folding rolls and said folding guides, the inclined portions of said conveyor belts. being adapted to receive and support a batt fed thereon, means guiding a preheated adhesively treated batt base sheet between the batt 'and tile coni veyorbelts, means guiding a cover sheet hoili zontally toward and upon the upper faceoi the batt at the approximate level of the base grooves of the folder guide walls and beneath the level of the horizontal portions of the conveyor belts, and means adjacent both conveyor belts at points remote from the folding rolls, for pressing the folded and heated adhesive portions of the base sheet into intimate contact with opposite marfgins of the cover sheet to provide joints to corni plete tlie coverage of the batt by the cover and base sheets.

l0. In a machine of the class described, the combination of 'a normally stationary `pair of parallel folder guides each having a vertical flat wall and a curved wall, the curved `walls `being at one end disposed substantially at right angles to the vertical fiat wall and extended outwardly therefrom at a low elevation approximating the level of the lower edge of the flat wall; said curved wall being progressively bent upwardly and inwardly toward the upper edge of the flat vertical wall to spaced substantial parallelism therewith, forming a horizontal base groove at the lower edges of the walls, a vertical folder element for each guide having a lower` end dis'- posed adjacent to `the right angularly extended portion of each curved wall,` folding rolls supe' ported for rotation about a horizontal axis and each having an annular end disposed in close proximity to one of the folder eler'nents` in the region of the outwardly extended portion of the curved folder guide wall, said horizontal folding rolls having their upper cylindrical faces dise' posed at approximately the level of the upper edge of the vertical guide wall,V a pair of con; veyor belts supported for horizontal movement over said folding roll faces in parallelism.' with but above the level of the base grooves afore` said, said belts being inclined downwardly at an angle from the folding rolls and away from the folder guides, the inclined portions of said conveyor belts being adapted to receive and sup` port a vbatt fed thereon, means guiding a pre#- heated adhesively treated base sheet between the batt and the conveyor belts, means guiding a cover sheet horizontally toward and upon the upper face of the batt at the approximate level of the base grooves of the folder guide walls, and means for pressing marginal edge portions of the preheated adhesively treated sheet into intimate contact with margins of the cover sheet,` subsefluently to operation of the folding means thereon, to provide joints completing an' envelope for the' batt.

1l. Ina machine of the class described,` the combination of a normally stationary pair of parallel folder guides each having a verticalflat wall and a curved wall, the curved walls being at one end disposed substantially at right angles 'to the vertical fiat wall and extended outwardly the lower edges of the walls, a vertical folder element for each guide having a lower end disposed adjacent to the right angularly extended portion of each curved Wall, folding rolls supported for rotation about a horizontal axis and each having an annular end disposed in close proximity to one of the folder elements in the region of the outwardly extended portion of the curved folder guide wall, said horizontal folding rolls having'their upper cylindrical faces disposed at approximately the level of the upper edge of the vertical .guide wall, a pair of conveyor belts supported for horizontal movement over said folding roll faces in parallelism with but above the level of the base grooves aforesaid, said belts being inclined downwardly at an anglefrom the folding rolls and away from the folder guides, the inclined portions ofV said conveyor belts being adapted to receive and support a batt fed thereon, means guiding a preheated adhesively treated base sheet between the batt and the conveyor belts, means guiding a cover sheet horizontally toward and upon the upper face of the batt at the approximate level of the base grooves of the folder guide walls, means for pressing mars ginal edge portions of the preheated adhesively treated sheet into intimate contact with margins of the cover sheet, subsequently to operation of the folding means thereon, to provide joints completing an envelope for the batt, and laterally shiftable supporting means for each folder guide and its associated folder element, folding roll, and pressing means, to adjust said folder guides and associated parts bodily toward and from one another independently of the conveyor belts, thereby to adapt the machine for operation upon batts and sheets of different dimensions.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a normally stationary pair of parallel folder guides each having a vertical flat wall and a lcurved wall, the curved walls being at one end disposed substantially at right angles to the vertical fiat wall and extended outwardly therefrom at a low elevation approximating the level of the lower edge of the flat wall, said curved Wall being progressively bent upwardly and inwardly toward the upper edge of the flat vertical wall to spaced substantial parallelism therewith,

forming a horizontal base groove at the lower edges of the walls, a vertical folder element for each guide having a lower end disposed adjacent to the right angularly extended portion of each curved wall, folding rolls supported for'rotation about a horizontal axis and each having an annular end disposed in close proximity to one of the folder elements in th'e region of lthe outwardly extended portion of the curved folder guide wall,

said horizontal folding rolls having their upper cylindrical faces disposed at approximately the level of the upper edge of the vertical guide wall, a pair of conveyor belts supported for horizontal movement over said folding roll faces in parallelism with but above the level of the base grooves aforesaid, said belts being inclined downwardly at an angle from the folding rolls and away from the folder guides, the inclined portions of said conveyor belts being adapted to receive and support a batt fed thereon, means guiding a preheated adhesively treated base sheet between the batt and the conveyor belts, means guiding a cover sheet horizontally toward and upon the upper face of the batt at the approximate level of ther base grooves of the folder guide walls, means for pressing marginal edge portions of the preheated adhesively treated sheet into intimate contact with margins of the cover sheet, subsequently to operation of the folding means thereon, tor provide joints completing an envelope for the batt, and a pair of shelves extending one from each folder guide and toward a common center line between the conveyor belts, for supporting the weight of each belt in its travel lengthwise of the folder guides.

13. In a machine of the class described, the I combination of a main frame having upright sides, and a series of conveyors each 'comprising a pair Aof spaced parallel belts extending lengthwise of the frame to jointly support a batt, means for moving the `conveyors in unison toward one end of the frame, a pair of secondary frames for each pair of belts and arranged in spaced substantial parallelism with the belts therebetween, transverse support means spanning the main frame sides and providing tracks upon which all of the secondary frames are adjustable laterally toward and from one another, separate folding and pressing means carried by each of the secondary frames, said pressing meansV comprising vertical shafts and rollers mounted for rotation between the secondary frames and adjacent to a belt of each pair of belts, sprockets on said shafts arrangedv at a common elevation in a horizontal plane, driving means for the sprockets, comprising an endless chain arranged transversely of the main frame from approximately one side to the other, and sprockets supporting said drive chain at the sides of the main frame in the horizontal plane aforesaid, said drive chain being in constant engagement with the sprockets to rotate the sprocket shafts at all laterally adjusted positions of the secondary frames, and means for driving the endless chain in one direction for rotating the rollers aforesaid.

14. In a machine for applying a cover to a batt, the combination of Aa conveyor moving continuously in one direction of advancement, and folding guides one at each side of the conveyor, said folding guides each including a vertical wall and a curved wall, the latter beginning a't one end of the folding guide substantially horizontally and outwardly extended at right angles to the vertical wall, and curving progressively toward the opposite end thereof where the walls end in substantial vertical parallelism, a folding roll rotatable on a vertical axis with its lower end spaced slightly from the horizontal portion of the curved wall, a cooperative second folding roll having an annular end, and means supporting said second roll for rotation horizontally, with its annular end in close proximity to the periphery of 'the first folding roll, means directing onto the conveyor a batt and a pair of cover sheets at opposite faces of the batt, and means guiding one of the cover sheets so as to horizontally intersect the batt at an acute angle, and on the horizontal level of the outwardly extended end of the curved wall of the folding guide, whereby the batt is forced to arch' said one sheet while the opposed edges of the latter progress horizontally past the folding rolls.

15. In a machine for applying a cover to a batt. the combination of a conveyor moving continuously in one direction o-f advancement, and folding guides one at each side of the conveyor, said folding guides each including a vertical wall and site end thereof where the walls end in substantial vertical parallelism, a folding roll rotatable on a vertical axis with -its lower end spaced slightly from the horizontal portion of the curved Wall, a. cooperative second folding roll having an annular end, and means supporting said second roll for rotation horizontally, with its annular end in close proximity to the periphery of the rst folding roll, pressing means near the substantially vertical wall ends, comprising a pair of annularly grooved rolls in contact with the grooves thereof in registry, one of said grooves carrying a displaceable extending creasing ring to enter the cooperative groove of the other roll, means directing onto the conveyor a batt and a pair of cover sheets at opposite faces of the batt, and means guiding one of the cover sheets so as to horizontally intersect the batt at an acute angle, and on the horizontal level of the outwardly extended end of the curved wall of the folding guide,

whereby the batt is forced to arch said one sheet While the opposed edges of th'e latter progress horizontally past the folding rolls and through the pressing means.

CECIL EARLE WEBB. 

